Visual History with Michael Zinberg

Interviewed by: Gary Shimokawa

Michael Zinberg discusses his origins in Texas local television and what he learned from television directors like John Rich, John Frankenheimer Bob Butler, and Gene Reynolds. He comments on the differences between directing single and multi-camera shows, and his stints as a writer, producer, and executive at NBC.

Michael Zinberg is a director, writer and producer of many hit television series and movies for television. Zinberg started out in Hollywood as an associate producer on Nichols and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He began his directing career in 1972 on The Bob Newhart Show. Since then, he has directed episodes of Taxi; Lou Grant; WKRP in Cincinnati; Family Ties; Who's the Boss; L.A. Law; Coach; Quantum Leap; The Pretender; Boston Public; JAG; The Guardian; Everybody Loves Raymond; The Practice; Lost; Gilmore Girls; Monk; The Unit; The Practice; and The Good Wife, among many others.

He has also directed the movies for television Not Until Today; Homeroom; Wildest Dreams; For the Very First Time; Accidental Meeting; and most recently, A Christmas Wedding. His writing credits include episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show;The Bob Newhart Show; The Tony Randall Show; Newhart; The Yellow Rose; Duet; Fathers and Sons; Coming of Age and the telefilm For the Very First Time.

In 1991, Zinberg won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for his work on Quantum Leap. As a producer, he also received Emmy nominations for Quantum Leap three years in a row from 1990 to 1992 and previously received an Emmy nomination for his work on The Bob Newhart Show.

Michael Zinberg co-chairs the DGA's Television Creative Rights Committee and has served on the National Board since 2007, on the Western Directors Council since 2006, and as a Trustee of the Directors Guild Foundation since 2010. He also served on the 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014 Negotiating Committees.